Fellowship of the Dice

I caught this at it's premiere night at the Gamestorm Con in Portland Oregon, and I must say that it was quite the treat.

Essentially a mockumentary focusing on an inexperienced player joining an established group, this enjoyable little film pokes a bit of loving fun at we gamers (and we deserve every second of it).

If you've been playing RPG's (especially D&D) for any length of time, you'll see your self in one or more of the core group of gamers. Interview clips from gamers at various cons add to the feeling "oh crap, I do that don't I?"

Also of note, the production values and editing are well above what one would expect from a low budget film of this type. The producers are gamers, but they're not just a few guys putting together a cheap film with a borrowed cam-corder, they know what they're doing and they do an excellent job.

If you see these guys at your next convention, stop by their booth and give their little film a shot. It's well worth the time, and they're a nice bunch of folks.

This is a very funny and insightful film that exposes the more humorous aspects of role playing games. When a woman on house arrest is drawn into a game hosted by a group of strangers, she quickly learns what a serious business gaming can be. Intercut with the narrative are interviews with actual gamers that are funny without knowing it. Like the characters in the film, they take role-playing games verrrrry seriously, which only adds to the laughs. The characters are quirky, the acting is honest and the the pace is rapid. "Fellowship of the Dice" is just the right length for a subject like this and should not be missed by anyone that has ever had an interest in elves, warlocks, mystical beings and dice.

I laughed my ass of at this movie! It's a really funny film that pokes honest fun at role playing gamers and RPG in general. During the course of the film, the filmmakers oscillate between actors playing games in a scene and actual gamers at a convention. What's so funny is that you can't really tell them apart. It's a testament to the acting and a very clever device that is not overused. Aimee Graham is likable as the novice game player brought to the gamer's den by a player. She quickly finds out this is no ordinary game by any stretch of the imagination. This is a great film to watch on a Saturday night with friends, especially if they are into fantasy games or fantasy at all. I saw it at a convention, but I think it's available on Netflix or at Blockbuster. See it!

OK, so I will be brutally honest.

I felt as if the character with the mental disorder was forced. I felt as if the uni-brow/complainer character was "acting." THE GUY WHO PLAYED THE DUNGEON MASTER ... BROKE MY LUNGS WITH LAUGHTER ... a "+3 pub guide?" ... like you get an "Enchanted Pub Guide!?!?" LOL! And then the really quiet girl WAS SO GOOD! I liked her. And Amy Grahm, I would love to take you out on a date sometime. Please.

The interviews, in my opinion, was like Diamond Encrusted Icing, on an already nice cake. Enjoy the cake ... LOVE the icing!! The dude with the CLAWS!?!? And the chick dressed as an angel? What about the people talking about "love during the game?" Seriously, I want to see a sequel where you have MORE interviews of these nuts!! Love 'em! Brutally honest: on a scale of 1-10, this is an 8.5. Great movie to watch and eat popcorn to. (and I'm a tough sell)

Best Gaming Movie for a general audience. Fellowship of the Dice is by far the best "Gaming" movie out there. It doesn't fall into the pitfall of being for "Gamers only" and spares the audience the many inside jokes that only gamers can get. It is funny, smart and accessible to everyone. The main character, Elizabeth, is touching and has to deal with a very a serious situation on a not so serious backdrop of gaming silliness. Check it out whether you are an experience gamer or don't even know what gaming is, you won't be disappointed. Fellowship of the Dice shows us what is truly important about gaming, which is the friendship that you develop along the way.

Seb